In a beautiful tree covered courtyard sits Spencer’s, an off the beaten path but surely discovered (it’s packed) American spot where the misters are blasting and the crowd is downing bloody Mary’s and mimosas while amiably chatting with friends and digging in on salads and sandwiches.

The menu is a huge look at pretty standard favorites (crab cakes, Asian Chicken salad, Maine lobster club) that is both overwhelming in choices and underwhelming in creativity. The Monster is skeptical but willing to give it all a try.

On special are soft shell crab, pan sautéed with roasted garlic and aged sherry wine essence. Also, it is offered lightly breaded with lemon caper brown butter. Will start there.

After much debate Earl’s turkey burger with Swiss and avocado on a toasted bun along with mixed greens is the entree choice.

Spencer’s easily exceeds expectations with the soft shell crab which are decadently perfect. One swimming in butter and garlic, the other all fried up and served with fresh tomato and capers. They are dynamite.

Whereas the turkey burger brings The Monster hurtling back down to earth like a satellite that’s broken orbit. A smidge dry, it desperately needs the BBQ sauce The Monster asks for to give it much needed taste.

Others at the table universally enjoy their meals so perhaps The Monster misorders. It happens.

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Fourteen years ago The Monster decided he was going to eat at every restaurant in the Los Angeles Zagat Guide. Nevermind the city was almost five hundred square miles large, with over 13 million inhabitants, speaking over two hundred and twenty different languages, without a functioning mass transit system.

The Monster is twenty, nineteen, eighteen, seventeen, sixteen, fifteen, fourteen, thirteen, twelve, eleven, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, zero meals away from finishing. THE MONSTER HAS EATEN AT EVERY PLACE LISTED IN THE 2011 ZAGAT GUIDE. In total The Monster has eaten at over 3,000 restaurants in Los Angeles.